Dental equipment



y 4, 1963 w. E. BURTON 3,089,741

DENTAL EQUIPMENT Filed Dec. 16, 1960 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l2 INVENTOR.

William E. Burton May 14, 1963 Filed Dec. 16, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 g I? 62 V H l I, kl |,..--.l v A I: I7 88 2 21 f g I ll 77 7/ s2 Fig. 4.

INVENTOR. L William E. Burton BY I2 Q44,

M y 4, 1963 w. E. BURTON 3,089,741

DENTAL EQUIPMENT IIW/ENTOR. William E. Burton BY ag United States Patent Ofiice 3,989,741 Patented May 14, 1963 3,089,741 DENTAL EQUIPMENT William E. Burton, 616 Ventura Ave, San Mateo, Calif. Filed Dec. 16, 1960, Ser. No. 76,402 14 (Ilaims. (Cl. 312-423) This invention relates to new and improved dental equipment and more specifically to a coordinated chair and equipment cabinet, both of which are supported by a common base or wall bracket for vertical movement by power actuated means such as hydraulic cylinders. Provision is also made .for adjustment of the back and leg rest of the chair from upright to reclining position and for horizontal sliding movement of the equipment cabinet relative to the chair so that the instruments are located in proximity to the mouth of the patient. Although the equipment herein described may be used for dentistry, the adaptation of the equipment to other fields such as surgery, orthopedics, eye surgery and the like is readily apparent.-

In essence, the present invention interconnects the equipment cabinet and patients chair for simultaneous vertical movement under the control of the dentist. From the same source of fluid pressure other adjustments of the chair and equipment cabinet may be performed, all as hereinafter described in detail. The more important of these adjustments are the adjustment of the back rest and leg rest of the chair, the horizontal sliding movement of the equipment cabinet, and similar optional auxiliary equipment such as projection and retraction of a frame for the display of X-ray films, opening and closing of the equipment cabinet door, projection and retraction of a cuspidor and the like.

-A further feature of the invention is the provision in the sliding equipment cabinet of .a compartment which is sealed with a door and inside .which contain instruments such as dental drills and other power instruments, various dental hand tools and the like. Preferably, the cabinet is provided with means for sterilization of the inside of the cabinet and its contents between uses. This permits all of the equipment which is fixed to the cabinet that comes in contact with the patients mouth or the hands of the dentist to be sterilized between each use and hence reduces the likelihood of cross-infection between patients and between dentist and patient.

Preferably, the various power actuated means are controlled :from a single bank of controls under the dentists direction. Thus, a stool on which the dentist may be seated is provided with a series of control pedals .which may be actuated to adjust the position of the chair and various pieces of equipment. Here again the danger of infection is reduced by reason of the fact that the hands of the dentist need not come in contact with any of the operating controls of the equipment.

Although the present invention may be used in a single unit, it is ideally suited to clinical use in that a large plurality of chairs and/or instrument cabinets may be energized by a single hydraulic pump and tank and from a single source, if desired, of sterilizing fluid, steam, hot gas, etc.

Thus, the present invention provides equipment which is less expensive than conventional equipment for the same purpose.

An important feature and advantage of the invention is the fact that the physical movement required of the dentist is materially reduced over conventional equipment, thereby reducing fatigue and tension. Additionally, the fatigue and tension of the patient are correspondingly reduced.

Still another advantage of the invention relates to the aesthetic and psychological improvement of the equipment. At the commencement of the patients visit the cabinet is closed and all equipment therein concealed, the cuspidor folded out of sight and the instrument tray flush with the cabinet. This improve greatly the appearance of the office and likewise keeps out of sight the instruments which through association may cause uneasiness on the part of the patient. Hence, the visit becomes less trying for the patient and for the dentist.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a chair and equipment cabinet showing the chair and cabinet lowered, the chair erect and the Xray film [frame elevated.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, showing the chair and cabinet elevated, the chair reclined and the equipment cabinet slid horizontally and cuspidor projected.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the structure of FIG. 2 also showing in dotted lines the equipment tray pivoted to operative position.

FIG. 4 is a transverse, vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of a dentists stool with associated foot controls for the various mechanical actuators of the equipment.

The equipment hereinafter described in detail is used in dentistry, it being understood that the invention is applicable to other uses. In the form of the invention herein illustrated, the equipment is mounted on the floor, there being a base 11 attached to the floor. HOlW- ever, it will be understood that the equipment may be attached by means of a bracket to the wall, thereby leaving the floor space unobstructed for cleaning and other purposes. Where mounted on the floor there is provided a base frame 12, generally rectangular in shape, enclosing the base 11 and associated mechanism. Vertically slidable with respect to base frame 12 is horizontal suport :13 and depending from horizontal support is a skirt 14 which overhangs base frame 12 and closes ofi? any gap between horizontal support 13 and base frame -12. By means hereinafter described in detail, the dental chair 16 is supported by horizontal support 13. Slideways 17 horizontally disposed are likewise supported by horizontal suport 13 and slidable on slideways is equipment cabinet 18.

Base 1-1 provides vertical support for the lower end of hydraulic cylinder 21. Piston 22 pushes against yoke 23 which is connected at its lower ends to horizontal support 13. Depending cars 24 on either end of horizontal support 13 provide bearings for transverse horizontal shafts 26, 27. Vertical plate 28 likewise depends from horizontal support 13 and carries at its lower end a collar 29 which fits around and slides with respect to vertical column 31, the lower end of which is likewise mounted on base 11. Reinforcing gussets 32 rigidi'fy the structure consisting of yoke 23, horizontal support 13, vertical plate 28 and collar 29.

The seat 36 of the dental chair 16 is supported by shafts 26, 27 which cantilever outward through skirt 14. The left-hand shaft 27 as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 5 does not revolve. The forward or right-hand shaft 26 oscillates under control of second hydraulic cylinder 37, but also provides attachment for seat 36 through brackets 38. Thus a crank arm 39 is connected to shaft 26 and its outer end is connected by fitting 41 to piston rod 42 of cylinder 37. Cylinder 37 in which rod 42 slides is connected by pivot 43 to brackets 44 on table 46 which is attached to horizontal support 13. Shaft 26 is connected to P supports 47 which extend upwardly and are pivmed oy means of pivots 48 to arm rests 49. The rear- 'ard ends of arm rests 49 are pivoted by means of pivots 51 to plates 52 on either side of the back rest 53 of the chair, the lower end of the back rest 53 being connected by pins 54 to the frame of seat 36. Leg rest 56 is connected to the forward end of seat frame 36 by means of pin 57 and links 58 are pivotally connected to leg rest 56 and to crank arm 59 fixed to shaft 26. The foregoing arrangement is such that when cylinder 37 is energized, shaft 26 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5, causing the arm supports 47 to pivot in a clockwise direction and likewise causing the back rest 53 to pivot in a clockwise direction from reclined to upright position. At the same time the foot rest 56 pivots downwardly but by reason of the linkage the angular movement of the leg rest 56 is less than the back rest 53. Thus recline and upright and any intermediate position of the dental chair 16 may be controlled by the operator.

Horizontal table 46 carires a plurality of tracks 17 here shown to be in the form of I-beams and horizontally slidable on tracks 17 are inverted channels 61 with anti-friction pads 62 such as nylon blocks interposed there-between to facilitate sliding of channels 61 relative to table 46. Longitudinal horizontal supports 63 are fixed to channels 61 and carry the cabinet frame 18. Third hydraulic cylinder 66 extends longitudinally and is pivoted by means of pivot 67 to the upright end 68 of cabinet 18. The end of piston rod 69 is pivoted by means of pivot 71 to bracket 72 on horizontal table 46. Thus as cylinder 66 is energized and de-energized, the cabinet 18 is moved longitudinally on trackways.

The purpose of movement of the cabinet 18 is to locate conveniently to the mouth of the patient the equipment cabinet 76 at the left-hand end thereof. Said cabinet 76 has a door 77 which may be closed and opened and in closed position is relatively hermetically sealed. Inside the cabinet 76 are drills, various other power equipment and dental equipment as Well as trays of dental hand tools and the like. Preferably, sterilizing fluid may be caused to fill the cabinet between uses to sterilize the contents, it being understood that air or gas heated to sufliciently high temperature or steam or other means may be used for this purpose.

Adjacent the left-hand end of the cabinet 18 is a cuspidor 81 pivoted by means of swivel 82 thereto and opening and closing as the cabinet is projected or by separate hydraulic means (not shown). The plumbing connections for the cuspidor are flexible so that it may be raised and lowered and slid horizontally with the equipment cabinet.

Similarly, there is provided in the cabinet 18 a well 83 in which is vertically slidable an illuminated frame 84 for the display of X-ray pictures. Either manual means or hydraulic means (not shown) may be used to raise and lower the frame 84 and the frame being illuminated when it is in upright position.

The top right-hand end of the equipment cabinet 18 constitutes a tray 86 and has an arm 87 extending to the left pivoted by means of pivots 88 to the cabinet 18. The tray may be used for support of equipment and may be :swung from the full line position shown in FIG. 3 to the dotted line position, thereby making the implements contained thereon conveniently at hand.

A convenient means for controlling the various pieces of equipment is the stool 91 shown in FIG. 6. Such stool has a base 92 which is supported from the floor by means of castors 93. A post 94 extends up at one end thereof and carries a collar 96 having serrations at its upper edge which mate with serrations on the collar 97 on the bot-tom of seat 98. A spring (not shown) biases the collars 96, 97 apart and permits rotation of the seat 98 relative to the base 92 when the serrations do not mesh. However, the weight of the dentist overcomes the force of the spring and depresses collar 97 until the teeth engage,

thus locking seat 93 against rotation. The forward end of base 92 carries a plurality of foot pedals 101, each of which is connected by lines 102 and other means which are well understood in this art but which are not illustrated in detail herein to the various valves (not shown) which control cylinders 21, 37, 66 and other hydraulic equipment or such electrical switches as may be required. Thus the pedals 101 will energize in either direction the cylinder 21 which raises and lowers the chair l6 and cabinet 1S, cylinder 37 which reclines the chair 16, cylinder 66 which moves the cabinet 18 lengthwise, the cylinder (not shown) which opens and closes the door 77 for the cabinet 76, the cylinder (not shown) which raises and lowers the X-ray film display frame 84, and also those pieces of equipment which are used by the dentist, such as drills and the like.

What is claimed is:

1. Equipment for dental and medical treatment comprising a base, a frame, extensible means for raising and lowering said frame relative to said base, a dental-type chair, support means for mounting said chair in cantilever relationship to said frame for movement with said frame, and a dental-type equipment cabinet mounted for raising and lowering movement with said frame, said extensible means being under control of an operator to raise and lower said chair and follower relative to said base while said chair is occupied.

2. Equipment according to claim 1, which further comprises slides and slideways on said frame and cabinet for movement of said cabinet normal to movement of said frame and means on said frame under the control of said operator for moving said cabinet relative to said frame.

3. Equipment according to claim 2, which further comprises a compartment on said cabinet, a door for hermetically sealing said compartment and means for sterilizing said compartment and its contents.

4. Equipment according to claim 2, which further comprises a tray and means pivotally mounting said tray on said cabinet for horizontal swinging movement.

5. Equipment according to claim 2, in which said cabinet is formed with an upwardly opening well and which further comprises an Xray illuminating frame vertically slidable in said well.

6. Equipment according to claim 1, in which said chair comprises a seat attached to said base, a back rest pivotally attached to said seat and actuating means for pivoting said back rest relative to said seat extending to said frame and which further comprises mechanical means mounted on said frame remote from said chair for moving said actuating means, whereby said back rest may be moved between reclining and upright positions.

7. Equipment according to claim 6, which further comprises a leg rest pivotally attached to said seat and means articulately connecting said back rest and leg rest for simultaneous movement.

8. Equipment of the character described comprising a base, a horizontal frame, a vertically acting first fluid cylinder interconnecting said base and frame, a chair, support means for supporting said chair in cantilever relationship to said frame, tracks on said frame, an equipment cabinet, slides on said cabinet in sliding relation to said tracks, and a second fluid cylinder interconnecting said frame and cabinet for reciprocation of said cabinet in a horizontal direction relative to said base.

9. Equipment according to claim 8, which further comprises an operators stool having at least two controls for remotely controlling said first and second cylinders.

10. Equipment according to claim 8, in which said chair comprises a seat connected to said support means, a back rest pivoted to said seat, a shaft extending to said frame, and linkage for transmitting oscillation of said shaft to movement of said back rest between reclining and upright position and which further comprises a third fluid cylinder having a piston on said frame and means for converting relative movement of said piston and cylinder into oscillation of said shaft.

11. Equipment according to claim '10-, which further comprises a leg rest pivoted to said seat and second linkage articulately connecting said back rest and leg rest for simultaneous movement.

12. Equipment according to claim 10, which further comprises a common source of fluid pressure for each of said cylinders, an operators stool movable relative to said base and having at least three controls each controlling energization of one of said cylinders from said source.

13. Equipment of the character described comprising a base, a chair, a fluid cylinder for raising and lowering said chair relative to said base, a back rest pivoted on said chair, means for pivoting said back rest between upright and reclining positions, a second fluid cylinder remote from said chair and controlling said last mentioned means, a source of fluid pressure, an operators stool movable relative to said base, at least two controls on said stool each controlling energization of one of said cylinders from said source, a cabinet, means for sliding said cabinet relative to said base, a third fluid cylinder controlling said last-mentioned means and a third control on said stool cont-rolling energization of said third cylinder.

14. Equipment of the character described comprising a base, a chair, a fluid cylinder for raising and lowering said chair relative to said base, a back rest pivoted on said chair, means including a laterally extending crank shaft, a crank on said crank shaft for pivoting said back rest between upright and reclining positions, a second fluid cylinder remote from said chair, connected to said crank and controlling said last mentioned means, a source of fluid pressure, an operators stool movable relative to said base, and at least two controls on said stool each controlling energization of one of said cylinders from said source.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 201,912 Collignon Apr. 2, 1878 533,445 Denison Feb. 5, 1895 1,337,103 Straith Apr. 13, 1920 1,533,219 Sugarman Apr. 14, 1925 1,534,790 Koken Apr. 21, 1925 2,373,442 Angell Apr. 10, 1945 2,424,729 Andreasen July 29, 1947 2,449,385 Johnson et al. Sept. 14, 1948 2,591,288 Pitchford Apr. 1, 1952 2,677,587 Waldo May 4, 1954 2,807,387 Siciliano Sept. 24, 1957 2,937,911 Steven May 24, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 860,838 Germany Dec. 22, 1952 537,357 Canada Feb. 26, 1957 

1. EQUIPMENT FOR DENTAL AND MEDICAL TREATMENT COMPRISING A BASE, A FRAME, EXTENSIBLE MEANS FOR RAISING AND LOWERING SAID FRAME RELATIVE TO SAID BASE, A DENTAL-TYPE CHAIR, SUPPORT MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID CHAIR IN CANTILEVER RELATIONSHIP TO SAID FRAME FOR MOVEMENT WITH SAID FRAME, AND A DENTAL-TYPE EQUIPMENT CABINET MOUNTED FOR RAISING AND LOWERING MOVEMENT WITH SAID FRME, SAID EXTENSIBLE MEANS BEING UNDER CONTROL OF AN OPERATOR TO RAISE AND LOWER SAID CHAIR AND FOLLOWER RELATIVE TO SAID BASE WHILE SAID CHAIR IS OCCUPIED. 